This project aimed to design and create an add-on mechanism that would be retrofitted onto fixed docks to avoid deformation and possibly failure in freezing temperatures. The mechanism allows a fixed dock to (1) have room to adapt to ice freeze by horizontal and lateral movement, and (2) serve as a truly fixed dock during the warmer months, with enough strength to dock a small boat. The project spanned C, D, and E terms in the 2022-2023 school year, with research completed in C, and prototyping and analysis in D term and E1 term. A final prototype has been developed using theoretical analysis and numerical simulations. The results confirm the design is significantly more tolerant to bending and deformation than conventional fixed docks. The provisional patent 63/460,831 - Water Dock Ice Tolerance for the mechanism has been submitted as the result of this project.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Barrera, James
• Loosigian, Timothy
• Rabe, Cole

Subject

• Innovation
• Project-Based Learning
• Sustainability

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 111691
• E-project-063023-122520

Keyword

• Ice
• Dock
• Deformation
• Springs
• lake
• Dock Deformation

Advisor

• Ebadi, Alireza

Year

• 2023

Date created

• 2023-06-30

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Mechanical Engineering

Source

• E-project-063023-122520

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2023-08-22